The Broadway Art Center (BAC), located at 488 Broadway in downtown Albany, currently has a show celebrating their first year of operation. We took a trip down memory (Maiden) Lane to have a chat with Susan Rivers, Publicist and Artist at the BAC (and Sculpture in the Street Clog exhibitor!), to chat about their celebratory show On Our Own – Founders’ First Anniversary Show.
How did Broadway Art Center start? How many are involved in the gallery’s operations?
“The Broadway Art Center (BAC) started about 5 years ago under the umbrella of the Colonie Art League, a membership organization. In the beginning it was only open for 1st Fridays. It eventually morphed into being open Monday to Friday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. One year ago the Colonie Art League decided it did not want to be in the gallery business so it was going to shut the doors of the BAC. Because we knew how valuable a resource the BAC is to both the community and artists, seven artists got together and incorporated as the Broadway Art Center, Inc. Now we are not limited to showing just work of the members of the Colonie Art League. We have over 200 actively participating artists and are always looking for more.”
What is your favorite memory from the gallery this past year?
“So hard to choose… First Fridays are always fun – especially the one when we had an 87th Birthday party for Bradford Smith. Another would be calling an artist to tell them they just sold a piece and hearing the joyful reaction on the other end of the phone (or getting that call myself). Also, it is always so nice when people wander in and say ‘I never knew you were here – this is wonderful!'”
How many pieces of art have come through the past year?
“We have about 50-60 pieces per show and we have had 9 shows PLUS all the work in the Ann Roberts Room monthly and the work in the Gift Shoppe so I would say we have had almost 1000 pieces of art in the past year. Wow!”
What’s in store for year two?
“Plans for the next couple of years… continue to grow our artist base. We have already begun making physical improvements to the space by adding a hanging system so we don’t destroy the walls with so many nail holes.”
Take a trip to Downtown, or stop by on your lunch break, and congratulate the BAC on one year of success. They have a wonderful gift shop filled with unique gifts crated by local artists. Their doors are open Monday – Friday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and are open from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM for 1st Friday. On Our Own – Founders’ First Anniversary Show runs through November 30, 2012. Visit the gallery on Facebook.
BAC | 488 Broadway | 518.732.4224 | www.bacart.biz
– AR
